(Photo – Here (from left): Mr. Jon Westborg, Minister Milinda Moragoda and
Mr. Charitha Ratwatte receiving their awards from the Senior Most Past
District governor in Sri Lanka Rtn PHF Muni Kundanmal.)

The Rotary Club of Colombo South recognised three distinguished personalities for their contribution and the bold initiatives being taken to bring peace and to reform the economy.

A ceremony took place at Hotel Lanka Oberoi to install the 25 th President of the Rotary Club of Colombo South Rtn PHF P. Thayaparan. It was also a significant coincident that their own club member Rtn PHF Pathmanathan took office as the District Governor of Sri Lanka.

The Paul Harris Award is given by the Rotary International through its foundation the name of the founder of Rotary, Paul Harris. The Paul Harris Awards were given to Mr. Jon westborg, Minister Milinda Moragoda and Mr. Charitha Ratwatte. The senior most past District Governor in Sri Lanka Rtn PHF Muni Kundanmal distributed the awards.

Mr. Jon Westborg was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award by Rotary International in recognition of the unremitting efforts made by him and his country in initiating a process aimed at bringing to an end the war that has ravaged Sri Lanka for nearly two decades. He said in his acceptance speech that whilst thanking Rotary for the award bestowed on him, that he would like to emphasise that a lasting peace is possible only if all Sri Lankans join hands and work towards achieving it.

Minister Milinda Moragoda was recognised for his efforts to bring about a change in the culture of politics in Sri Lanka through conducting an election campaign completely in accord with the laws of Sri Lanka, and also for his contribution aimed at bringing an end to the war. Minister Moragoda mentioned in his address that peace cannot be made but it has to be earned. He also said that peace is a process and we are only at the beginning of the long march.

Mr. Charitha Ratwatte was recognised for his services to the youth of Sri Lanka, and his exemplary contribution towards ensuring that the processes of governance in the public sector of Sri Lanka are sound, transparent and results-oriented. He also stated that with the continued support of Rotary Clubs that peace can and will dawn. Mr. Ratwatte said that organisations like Rotary have a vital role to play for the progress of the country for both ethnic harmony and economic development. He also said that the Rotary movement has helped immensely in efforts to provide emergency relief, resettlement of displaced persons and rehabilitation.

During 2002-03, the Rotary Club of Colombo South plans to undertake six projects aimed at improving social welfare.

They will work in conjunction with the Peace Secretariat of Sri Lanka to promote peace amongst communities through propaganda.

In order to improve the awareness of the spread of cancer and its prevention amongst the rural masses they intend to undertake efforts aimed at improving the effectiveness of public hospitals through the use of information technology.